Methodology: As we did last year: a gas station was rung
up in the most populous city in every state and asked for the price
of a pack of Marlboro Reds with tax. All told, 84 separate numbers
were dialed. Six stations refused to give cigarette prices over the
phone as per store policy. Three clerks in New Mexico refused to
believe that I was at least 18 years old and so wouldn’t give me
cigarette prices (not sure whether it’s a legal issue or they
didn’t like my tone). One clerk in Massachusetts cursed at me,
apparently under the impression I was a competitor trying to
undercut his business.

* Editor’s note: The final four states on the list were
reordered (and the graphic above corrected) after publication to
adjust for
Illinois’ recent tax increase.